South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Our South Florida personal injury lawyers have counseled clients through some very difficult times – auto accidents, elder abuse, hurricane claims and instances of medical malpractice. Whether negligence or a natural disaster, the one constant has been our commitment to continue advocating for our clients. It’s what we do.
The current public health crisis is unlike anything most of us have ever experienced.
We understand our clients have questions about what these circumstances mean for pending cases. We have been personally reaching out to each and every one to update them on the status of their claims.
Others have concerns about the novel legal questions this situation might present. Our team remains available to you through via phone, video conferencing and email. We also continue to offer free initial consultations through these mediums.
Florida Court Functions Limited
Court operations are considered “essential services” under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive Safer at Home order – but that doesn’t mean courts are open for business-as-usual. In-person, non-essential services at the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Palm Beach County are suspended until at least May 1st. In-person, essential services are being conducted remotely with communication equipment whenever possible. Where it is not, social distancing guidelines are followed.
“Essential services” include numerous criminal case matters, juvenile dependency and delinquency issues, domestic violence injunctions, Baker Acts, and more.
By-and-large, civil litigation matters – including personal injury and wrongful death claims – are not considered essential under the administrative orders. Therefore, these may be necessarily delayed for a time. (There may be exceptions if the judge decides the matter at hand is time-sensitive.) If these public health orders are extended for any length of time, it’s likely more civil hearings will be conducted via phone or video conferencing.
Palm Beach Injury Lawyers Still Working for You
This is no doubt a challenging time for us all, but the effort to stay healthy is a collective one. We take it seriously. The top priority for our law firm – and Florida courts – is for people to stay safe and well.
Lawyers may be considered essential workers, and our team is fully prepared to continue handling claims remotely. Our team can still negotiate with insurers, conduct some types of depositions, file motions electronically and maintain client communications. We will continue to afford each case the proper attention it deserves. This includes the use of secure video and phone conferencing electronic applications.
Whatever limited in-office or in-person matters we conduct are done in strict accordance with social distancing guidelines.
Long after this is over (and we do hope that time is sooner than later), courts will likely be facing a backlog of cases as well as questions about how these circumstances impacted things like performance of contractual obligations, duty of care, standard of care and statutes of limitation.
Our South Florida injury lawyers are ready and able to adapt and be as nimble as necessary to meet the needs of our valued clients and this community throughout this challenging time and beyond.
Contact the South Florida personal injury attorneys at Halberg & Fogg PLLC by calling toll-free at 1-877-425-2374. Serving West Palm Beach, Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers/ Naples. There is no fee unless you win.
Additional Resources:
The high demand for lawyers amid the pandemic, May 17, 2020, By Lyle Moran, ABAJournal.com